I tried the /samples/sensor/light/polling example on a different FRDM-MCXW71 board.
Board number 2 does show changes in the values printed on the UART console when covering the sensor.
The longer the test is running, the more change in value.
Testing board number 1 again: after waiting for a longer period this sensor also shows changes in values.
Summary: on board number 1 it takes about 20 seconds before the sensor shows some minor change in measurement. After a minute or so the values show realistic level changes.
I still don't understand the channel numbering: schematic shows ADC0_B6, code shows "Channel@2, MCUX_LPADC_CH2B" ?